An Empty-nesters' Roost Fairway Oaks Aims For Special Market With Detached Homes

August 31, 1985|By Jack Snyder of The Sentinel Staff

The first 30 homes in Fairway Oaks, a section of Tuscawilla, were duplexes, but when the property was sold, the developer opted to shift to detached patio homes.

Detached housing, it was decided, would have more appeal to that development's target market -- the empty-nester -- said Bobby Story, president of Imara Corp., the company that bought the uncompleted sections of Fairway Oaks. (The original duplex units also were too large for many empty-nesters, Story said.)

Empty-nesters, couples whose children have grown and left home, tend to want single-family housing, but with freedom from yard maintenance, Story said. A homeowners association maintains yards and common grounds in the development.

Imara has 31 lots on which to develop patio homes. Zero-lot-line siting, where the home is positioned either flush to or near a side or the rear lot line, is being used.

Two models are offered. One has three bedrooms and two baths and a two- car garage. It has 1,350 square feet and is priced at $95,000. The other has either four bedrooms or three bedrooms and a den, two baths and a two-car garage. This model, with 1,750 square feet, is priced at $105,000.

The development is on the 14th and 15th fairways of the golf course. Lots on the course have price premiums that add from $4,000 to $14,000 to the price of the lot.

Interestingly enough, the developer is embroiled in a wrangle with the city of Winter Springs on nearby Fairway Oaks property that is planned for condominiums. The land is zoned for 12 units to the acre. Area residents have objected to that density and the city has balked at approving that level.

Story said that it was Imara's understanding that the property was zoned at that level when the area was platted in 1971.

The dispute may be settled in court.

Imara, a company backed by foreign investors, also owns Woodstream, a 39- acre section of Tuscawilla. This area also has mixed zoning, both patio and condominiums.

Story said the company has no immediate plans for Woodstream.

The developer also is one of the Tuscawilla Collection builders and has built single-family homes throughout the development. Story said the houses have ranged from $170,000 to $200,000.

Tuscawilla is a massive mixed-use community embracing both single- and multifamily zoning. The community was launched in the early 1970s.

In addition to Tuscawilla, Imara is developing in The Palms, a luxury- home community off the Wekiva-Piedmont Road just west of Sweetwater Oaks in Orange County. Sweetwater Oaks is mostly in Seminole County but does spill over into Orange County.

Story said the company had sold off a number of lots in The Palms but still maintains a substantial land inventory there.

Houses in the development have ranged from around $140,000 to about $190,000, he said.

Imara's next move likely will be to south Orange County or Osceola County, Story said.